Media processing system communicating activity information to support user interaction during media broadcasts

ABSTRACT

A system and method for communicating activity information to support user interaction during media broadcasts in a media exchange network. In one aspect, a first user may associate a second user with particular media characteristics. The second user may be notified when the first user consumes media having pre-defined characteristics matching those associated with the second user. The second user may keep records of the consumption of media with particular media characteristics, and may provide services or incentives to the first user. A system may comprise a first and a second set top box, each having storage with an associated network address. A user of the second set top box may have at least one associated media characteristic, and the second user may be sent a notification when the first user requests media with pre-defined characteristics matching the media characteristic associated with the second user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation of U.S. Utility patent applicationSer. No. 10/675,358, filed on Sep. 30, 2003, issuing as U.S. Pat. No.8,413,180, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety forall purposes.

The Ser. No. 10/675,358 application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications No. 60/478,287, filed onJun. 13, 2003; No. 60/443,894, filed on Jan. 30, 2003; and No.60/432,472, filed on Dec. 11, 2002. The complete subject matter of allthree Provisional Applications are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety for all purposes.

In addition, the applicants hereby incorporate the complete subjectmatter herein by reference, in their entirety, of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/448,705, entitled “Media Exchange NetworkWith Media Guide Interface”, filed Feb. 18, 2003; U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/457,179, entitled “Server ArchitectureSupporting A Personal Media Exchange Network”, filed Mar. 25, 2003; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/657,390, entitled “Personal Inter-HomeMedia Exchange Network”, filed Sep. 8, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No.7,496,647; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/660,267, entitled“Personal Access And Control Of Media Peripherals On A Media ExchangeNetwork”, filed Sep. 11, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,496,665.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Frequently, the enjoyment of video and audio entertainment is a solitaryexperience. An individual chooses a program of interest and listens toor watches the presentation unaware of who among their co-workers,friends, family, and even those within the same house might also belistening to or watching the same presentation. On special occasions,groups of people will gather to view a program of particular interest,such as an important sports event, if the distance to the viewinglocation is reasonable. Attendance is limited to those invited, andgenerally only those invitees are able to take part in person.

Occasionally, someone viewing or listening to a program may telephone afriend or relative known to have a special interest in the program beingbroadcast to let them know that it is on, or to exchange commentaryabout specific portions or events. The telephone instrument used may ormay not be in the same location as the viewing/listening device,sometimes forcing the originating party to make the additional effort toleave the program and go to the telephone to contact the other person.Any separation of the telephone from the viewing/listening locationinfluences the amount of time spent on the call, and influences thelength of the interaction, and the enjoyment experienced in contactingthe other party.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth inthe remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a media exchangenetwork supporting the communication of user activity information amongusers at multiple locations on a media exchange network, in accordancewith various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an exemplary activitygroup setup screen that may be used to enable communication of useractivity information in a MPS such as the MPS's of FIG. 1A, or a PC,such as the PC of FIG. 1A, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates an exemplary activity groups list screen showing theactivity groups defined for several users of an MPS such as the MPS ofFIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of configuringan activity group in an embodiment in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2B is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of communicatinguser activity information in an embodiment of a media exchange networkin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a first exemplary media exchangenetwork in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of performing personal mediaexchange over a second exemplary media exchange network in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of performing third-party mediaexchange over a third exemplary media exchange network in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary illustration of a media guide user interface inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary illustration of several instantiations of a mediaguide user interface of FIG. 4 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary illustration of a media guide user interfaceshowing several options of a pushed media in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a schematic block diagram of a media processing system (MPS)interfacing to media capture peripherals in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9B illustrates an alternative embodiment of a media processingsystem (MPS) in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a PC and an MPS interfacing to aserver on a media exchange network in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a PC interfacing to personalmedia capture devices and remote media storage on a media exchangenetwork in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention may be found in a method ofcommunicating activity information to support user interaction in acommunication network. Such a method may comprise accepting from a firstuser information identifying at least a second user, receiving from thefirst user at least one user-selected characteristic associated withmedia, and processing a media request from the first user, via acommunication network, the requested media having a pre-defined set ofcharacteristics. The method may comprise notifying the at least seconduser, via the communication network, of the consumption of the requestedmedia by the first user, if the pre-defined set of characteristics forthe requested media matches the at least one user-selectedcharacteristic. In addition, the method may comprise refraining fromnotifying the at least a second user, via the communication network, ofthe consumption of the requested media by the first user, if thepre-defined set of characteristics for the requested media does notmatch the at least one user-defined characteristic.

In an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, each of thefirst user and the at least second user may be associated with at leastone of an Internet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC)address, and an electronic serial number (ESN). The communicationnetwork may comprise at least one of a cable infrastructure, a satellitenetwork infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure,an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wiredinfrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure, and the communicationnetwork may be the Internet. The requested media may comprise at leastone of audio, a still image, video, real time video, and data, andconsumption may comprise at least one of playing audio, displaying astill image, displaying video, and displaying data.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the informationidentifying at least a second user may comprise a legal name, a givenname, a screen name, a user identifier, a network identifier, anInternet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address,and an electronic serial number. The at least one user-definedcharacteristic may comprise at least one of a title keyword, a subjectkeyword, a genre, an artist, a time period, a media channel type, amode, and a language, and the notifying may comprise transmitting amessage via the communication network. An embodiment of the presentinvention may also comprise keeping a record of the notification, andthe record may be used by the second user to provide at least one ofservices and incentives to the first user.

Additional aspects of the present invention may be seen in a method ofcommunicating activity information to support user interaction in acommunication network. An embodiment in accordance with the presentinvention may comprise associating at least one media characteristicwith a user, and processing a request for media from the user, the mediahaving a pre-defined set of characteristics. An embodiment may comprisesending a notification via a communication network if the pre-definedset of characteristics for the requested media matches the at least onemedia characteristic. In addition, an embodiment of the presentinvention may comprise refraining from sending a notification if thepre-defined set of characteristics for the requested media does notmatch the at least one media characteristic. The requested media maycomprise at least one of audio, a still image, video, real time video,and data, and the at least one media characteristic may comprise atleast one of a title keyword, a subject keyword, a genre, an artist, atime period, a media channel type, a mode, and a language. Thepre-defined set of characteristics may comprise at least one mediacharacteristic. In addition, the communication network may comprise atleast one of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure,a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internetinfrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, anda wireless infrastructure.

Further aspects of the present invention may be observed in a systemsupporting the communication of activity information to support userinteraction in a communication network. Such a system may comprise afirst storage, at a first location, having an associated first networkaddress, and a first set top box circuitry at the first location, thefirst set top box circuitry communicatively coupled to the first storageto support consumption of media by a first user. An embodiment of thepresent invention may comprise a second storage, at a second location,having an associated second network address, and a second set top boxcircuitry at the second location, the second set top box circuitrycommunicatively coupled to the second storage to support consumption ofmedia by a second user. In addition, an embodiment in accordance withthe present invention may comprise at least one media characteristicassociated with the second user, and server software. The serversoftware may receive a request that identifies at least the associatedfirst network address and media having at least one pre-definedcharacteristic, and may notify, via a communication network, theassociated second network address if the at least one mediacharacteristic matches the at least one pre-defined characteristic.

The media in an embodiment of the present invention may comprise atleast one of audio, a still image, video, real time video, and data, andthe associated first and second network addresses may be one of anInternet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address,and an electronic serial number (ESN). Consumption may comprise at leastone of playing audio, displaying a still image, displaying video, anddisplaying data. In addition, the communication network may comprise atleast one of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure,a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internetinfrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, anda wireless infrastructure. In an embodiment of the present invention,the server software may be at a location separate from the first homeand the second home. The at least one media characteristic may compriseat least one of a title keyword, a subject keyword, a genre, an artist,a time period, a media channel type, a mode, and a language. The atleast one pre-defined characteristic may comprise at least one of atitle keyword, a subject keyword, a genre, an artist, a time period, amedia channel type, a mode, and a language.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentinvention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, willbe more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to the simultaneousenjoyment of media channel content by a group of users. In particular,certain embodiments of the present invention enable a spatially diversegroup of users to be made aware of and engage in an interactive groupmedia experience in a media exchange network.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a media exchangenetwork 100 supporting the communication of user activity informationamong users at multiple locations 103, 105 and 107 on a media exchangenetwork 100, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention. Specifically, the media exchange network 100 is acommunication network comprising a MPS (media processing system) 102 at“My House” 103, a brother's PC 104 at “My Brother's House” 105, and aMPS 106 at “My Friend's House” 107. The media exchange network 100further comprises the Internet-based media exchange networkinfrastructure 108 which connects together the MPS 102, the PC 104, andthe MPS 106. In various embodiments of the present invention, the mediaexchange network 100 may comprise, for example, cable infrastructure, asatellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL)infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure,a wired infrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure, or anycombination of the above. Note that the use of labels such as “MyHouse,” “My Brother's House,” etc. are for illustrative purposes only,and do not represent a limitation of the present invention. The mediaexchange network 100 may also contain a variety of other sources ofmedia channel content connected to Internet-based media exchange networkinfrastructure 108 that are not shown in FIG. 1A including, for example,3^(rd) party media providers, 3^(rd) party service providers, 3^(rd)party sales providers, and 3^(rd) party broadcast channel providers.Entities within the media exchange network 100 may be identified using anetwork or protocol address such as, for example, an Internet protocol(IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address, and an electronicserial number (ESN).

The MPS's (102 and 106) may be, for example, enhanced set-top-boxes. TheMPS's (102 and 106) may each include a TV screen (not shown) for viewingand interacting with various user interfaces, media, data, and servicesthat are available on the media exchange network 100 using, for example,a remote control (not shown). The PC 104 may include a PC monitor (notshown) for viewing and interacting with various user interfaces, media,data, and services that are available on the media exchange networkusing, for example, a keyboard and mouse (both not shown). The MPS's 102and 106, and the PC 104 include functional software to supportinteraction with the various elements of the media exchange network 100,in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a MPSmay comprise a set-top-box (STB), a PC, or a TV with a media managementsystem (MMS). A MMS is also known herein as a media exchange software(MES) platform.

A MMS comprises a software platform operating on at least one processorto provide certain functionality including user interface functionality,distributed storage functionality, and networking functionality. Forexample, a MMS may provide control of media peripheral devices, statusmonitoring of media peripheral devices, and inter-home MPS routingselection, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

For example, the MPS 102 comprises a media exchange software (MES)platform 109. The MES platform 109 on the MPS 102 supports personalizedviews of media channels and set up of new media channels on the mediaexchange network 100. For example, the MES platform 109 provides aformat, displayed on a monitor of the MPS 102, known as a media guideuser interface 110 to allow a user to set up a personalized view of themedia guide user interface 110 using a remote control. An example mediaguide user interface is described in U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/448,705, entitled “Media Exchange Network With Media GuideInterface”, filed Feb. 18, 2003, the complete subject matter of which ishereby incorporated herein in its entirety. The MES platform 109 alsoprovides the functionality for a user of the MPS 102 to set up a newmedia channel 101 in his/her personalized view.

In general, the MPS's 102 and 106 and the PC 104 each include a mediaexchange software (MES) platform and a networking component forconnectivity. The MES platform provides multiple capabilities includingmedia “push” capability, media “access” capability, media channelconstruction/selection, image sequence selection, text and voiceoverlay, channel and program naming, inter-home routing selection,authorship and media rights management, shared inter-home mediaexperience, billing service, and an integrated media guide interfacewith a TV channel guide look-and-feel.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an exemplary activitygroup setup screen 120 that may be used to enable communication of useractivity information in a MPS such as the MPS's 102 or 106 of FIG. 1A,or a PC, such as the PC 104 of FIG. 1A, in accordance with the presentinvention. As described above, each MPS 102 or 106, or PC 104, may havea variety of users, each of whom may have a number of interests that maybe shared with friends, family, co-workers, and in some cases, totalstrangers. In order to permit users with common interests to participatein media channel presentations as part of an interactive group, themedia exchange network 100 and in particular, the MPS 102 or MPS 106, orthe PC 104, may permit users to transmit to one or more other users ofmedia exchange network 100 information about the sending user's mediaexchange network activity.

The diagram of FIG. 1B illustrates a few of the parameters that may beused in selecting the recipients of user activity information, and theconditions under which the activity information will be shared, in anembodiment in accordance with the present invention. Such an embodimentmay support the sharing of activity information by more than one user ofan MPS or PC. Also, using the activity group setup screen 120 of FIG.1B, each of the users of an MPS or a PC, such as the MPS 102 and the PC104 of FIG. 1A, may define a number of activity groups, each activitygroup related to a particular interest.

For example, in the illustration of FIG. 1B, the user parameter 121 ofthe activity group setup screen 120 has been set to “Dad”. This valuewas selected from the sub-menu of users 122 of the MPS 102 or the PC 104(“Dad” and “Son”) who have established activity groups. In addition, thegroup parameter 130 has been set to “Golf Groupies”, a value selectedfrom “Dad's” activity group sub-menu 131. The remainder of the fieldsshown in the activity group setup screen 120 show the values that “Dad”has set for the respective parameters. For example, “Dad” included twofriends, “Golf Friend 1” and “Golf Friend 2”, in the “User(s) in Group”parameter 123, selected from the sub-menu 124 corresponding to othermedia exchange network subscribers that are candidates for inclusion ina group. Subscribers in media exchange network 100 of FIG. 1A may beidentified by a legal name, a given name, a screen name, an alias, auser identifier, a network identifier, an electronic serial number, anInternet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address, orthe like. Note that sub-menu 124 also includes a designator that permitsautomatic notification of the source of any consumed media. The twofriends listed, who are also media exchange network subscribers, share“Dad's” interest in golf and in particular, his interest in informationabout the golf player “Arnold Palmer”. User “Dad”, however, does notwant these two friends to be aware of all of his media exchange networkactivity. To restrict notification of “Golf Friend 1” and “Golf Friend2” only to those instances where “Dad” is accessing media exchangenetwork media channel sports materials related to “Arnold Palmer”, user(“Dad”) has selected a media channel type parameter 125 value of“Sports” from sub-menu 126, and has set the title/subject keywordsparameter 127 to “Arnold Palmer”.

Continuing with respect to FIG. 1B, user “Dad” has decided to notify hisfriends of his media exchange network activity only between 8:00 AM (viathe start time parameter 128) and 12:00 AM (via the stop time parameter129), on weekend days (via the day parameter 136). In addition, user“Dad” has chosen to notify this activity group only when the mode of themedia channel program is a form of video, having selected the modeparameter 134 value of “Video-All” from sub-menu 135. He has alsoselected the language of the media channel presentation (“English”)using the language parameter 132 and sub-menu 133. As can be seen inFIG. 1B, an embodiment in accordance with the present invention providesa user with a flexible set of controls to selectively share knowledge oftheir media exchange network activity.

FIG. 1C illustrates an exemplary activity groups list screen 140 showingthe activity groups defined for several users of an MPS such as the MPS102 of FIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. Four groups have been defined in the illustration of FIG. 1C.Three of the groups belong to user “Dad”: a “Golf Groupies” group 141,an “Investment” group 142, and a “Family” group 144. In addition, user“Son” has defined a “Skateboarders” group 143. Each of the listedactivity groups 141, 142, 143, and 144 define a set of conditions underwhich the activity information of the corresponding user will be shared,and the identities of the media exchange network subscribers with whomit will be shared. Although the illustrations of FIGS. 1B and 1C showthe use of only nine parameters, the present invention is not limited inthis regard. An embodiment of the present invention may employ agreater, a lesser, or a completely different complement of parameters incontrolling the sharing of activity information in a media exchangenetwork, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Inan embodiment of the present invention, an activity group list showingthe activity groups of all users of a MPS or PC, such as that shown inthe illustration of FIG. 1C, may be provided only to the administratorof the MPS or the PC, with each user able to view only their ownactivity groups. In an alternative embodiment, a non-administrative usermay be permitted see all activity groups, but permitted to modify onlytheir own entries.

Returning briefly to FIG. 1B, an embodiment in accordance with aspectsof the present invention may permit an authorized and authenticated userto establish or modify the parameters used in the sharing of activityinformation for a given user of an MPS or a PC, such as the MPS 102 orthe PC 104 of FIG. 1A, either directly or remotely. This may beaccomplished directly using, for example, the TV screen 137 and remotecontrol 138 of FIG. 1B that may be connected to a MPS, such as the MPS102 of FIG. 1A. The setup or modification of activity groups may also beperformed directly on a PC, such as PC 104 of FIG. 1A, via the keyboard,mouse, and monitor (not shown) that may be connected to the PC 104.Activity groups may be defined and configured remotely using anotherMPS, such as MPS 106 of FIG. 1A, via media exchange networkinfrastructure 108, or via a remote PC, such as PC 104, via theInternet. For example, a parent acting as administrator of a MPS or a PCmay use a remote MPS or PC to create or modify an activity group. Thismay be useful to permit a family member who does not have authorizationto create an activity group to participate in a group media viewingactivity when the administrator parent is away from the MPS.

In another embodiment in accordance with the present invention, activityinformation related to the consumption of media channel programming maybe sent directly or indirectly to the media provider. This may allow themedia provider to supplement the viewing/listening experience by makingavailable additional or alternate program materials related to thosealready accessed by the user. In doing so, the media provider is able tokeep the appearance of a media channel “fresh” to those that havepreviously viewed/listened to a media channel offering. In addition, themedia provider may provide rewards or incentives, such as coupons,viewing points, or the like, based upon the activity information.

FIG. 2A is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of configuringan activity group in an embodiment in accordance with the presentinvention. Although the following discussion refers to a MPS such as theMPS 102 of FIG. 1A, FIG. 2A applies equally to a PC, such as the PC 104of FIG. 1A. In the illustration of FIG. 2A, the method begins when theuser powers up the MPS and the MPS prompts the user for the entry of anaccess code (block 201). The user then enters an access code (block202), and the MPS displays the options available to that user (block203). In the example of FIG. 2A, the user selects the option for themanagement of activity groups (block 204).

The MPS then displays a current list of activity groups known to theMPS, and the user chooses to create a new activity group (block 205).The user then selects the members of the new activity group (block 206).In addition, the user designates the media channel type and mode (block207), and selects an appropriate set of title/subject keywords to beused to determine when information is to be sent to the members of theactivity group (block 208). The user also sets the time period (e.g.,time-of-day, days-of-the-week) during which sharing of activityinformation may occur (block 209).

FIG. 2B is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of communicatinguser activity information in an embodiment of a media exchange networkin accordance with the present invention. As in FIG. 2A, the followingdiscussion is made with respect to a MPS, such as MPS's 102 or 106 ofFIG. 1A, but applies equally to a PC on which the media exchangesoftware platform is running, such as the PC 104 of FIG. 1A. Thecommunication of user activity information begins after the MPS or PC isturned on, and the MPS displays a prompt requesting the entry of a useraccess code (block 221). The user then enters an access code via the MPS(block 222), and the MPS displays the current options available to theuser (block 223). The user then selects media channel access, andchooses the specific media channel to be listened to or viewed (block224). The MPS then determines if the selected media channel matches themedia channel type of any activity group list entry for the user, andchecks for a match of title and/or subject keywords, the current time,the selected language, and the media channel mode (block 225). If anentry belonging to the user matches an activity group list entry (block226), the MPS notifies via the media exchange network, the activitygroup members identified in the activity group list entry (block 227).Information identifying the user and the selected media exchange networkactivity is included in the notification. Upon receiving thenotification of the media exchange network activity of the user, themembers of the activity group may elect to participate in an interactivemedia exchange network session, and may initiate contact with the user(block 228). The user proceeds to view or listen to the selected mediachannel program, whether or not a matching user activity group listentry is found (block 226), and without regard to whether any notifiedactivity group list members choose to participate (block 229).

A major challenge is to be able to transfer and share many differenttypes of digital media, data, and services between one device/locationand another with ease while being able to index, manage, and store thedigital media and data.

For example, it is desirable to be able to distribute and store manytypes of digital media in a PC and/or television environment in auser-friendly manner without requiring many different types of softwareapplications and/or unique and dedicated interfaces. Any networkingissues or other technical issues should be transparent to the users. Itis also desirable to take advantage of existing hardware infrastructure,as much as possible, when providing such capability.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a media exchange network isprovided that enables many types of digital media, data, and/or servicesto be stored, indexed, viewed, searched for, pushed from one user toanother, and requested by users, using a media guide user interface. Themedia exchange network also allows a user to construct personal mediachannels that comprise his personal digital media (e.g., captureddigital pictures, digital video, digital audio, etc.), request thatthird-party media channels be constructed from third-party digitalmedia, and access the media channels pushed to him by other users on themedia exchange network.

PC's may be used but are not required to interface to the media exchangenetwork for the purpose of exchanging digital media, data, and services.Instead, set-top-boxes or integrated MPS's (media processing systems)may be used with the media exchange network to perform all of thepreviously described media exchange functions using a remote controlwith a television screen.

Current set-top-boxes may be software enhanced to create a MPS thatprovides full media exchange network interfacing and functionality via aTV screen with a TV guide look-and-feel. PC's may be software enhancedas well and provide the same TV guide look-and-feel. Therefore, themedia exchange network supports both PC's and MPS's in a similar manner.Alternatively, a fully integrated MPS may be designed from the groundup, having full MPS capability.

In the case of an MPS configuration, the user takes advantage of hisremote control and TV screen to use the media exchange network. In thecase of a PC configuration, the user takes advantage of his keyboardand/or mouse to use the media exchange network.

An MPS or enhanced PC is effectively a storage and distribution platformfor the exchange of personal and third party digital media, data, andservices as well as for bringing the conventional television channels toa user's home. An MPS and/or PC connects to the media exchange networkvia an existing communication infrastructure which may include cable,DSL, satellite, etc. The connection to the communication infrastructuremay be hard-wired or wireless.

The media exchange network allows users to effectively become their ownbroadcasters from their own homes by creating their own media channelsand pushing those media channels to other authorized users on the mediaexchange network, such as friends and family members.

FIG. 3 comprises a media exchange network 300 for exchanging and sharingdigital media, data, and services in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. The media exchange network 300 is a secure,closed network environment that is only accessible to pre-defined usersand service providers. The media exchange network of FIG. 3 comprises afirst PC 301 and a first media processing system (MPS) 302 at a user'shome 303, a communication infrastructure 304, external processinghardware support 305, remote media storage 306, a second PC 307 at aremote location 308 such as an office, and a second MPS 309 at aparent's home 310.

The PC's 301 and 307 and the MPS's 302 and 309 each include a mediaexchange software (MES) platform 311 and a networking component 312 forconnectivity. The MES platform 311 provides multiple capabilitiesincluding media “push” capability, media “access” capability, mediachannel construction/selection, image sequence selection, text and voiceoverlay, channel and program naming, inter-home routing selection,authorship and media rights management, shared inter-home mediaexperience, billing service, and an integrated media guide interfaceproviding a TV channel guide look-and-feel.

The external processing hardware support 305 comprises at least oneserver such as a centralized internet server, a peer-to-peer server, orcable head end. The server may alternatively be distributed over varioushosts or remote PC's. The MES platform 311 may also reside on theexternal processing hardware support server 305. The remote mediastorage 306 may comprise user media storage and distribution systems 313and/or third party media storage and distribution systems 314.

The communication infrastructure 304 may comprise at least one ofinternet infrastructure, satellite infrastructure, cable infrastructure,dial-up infrastructure, cellular infrastructure, xDSL infrastructure,optical infrastructure, or some other infrastructure. The communicationinfrastructure 304 links the user's home 303, parent's home 310, remotemedia storage 306, and remote location office 308 to each other (i.e.,the communication infrastructure 304 links all users and serviceproviders of the media exchange network 300).

The various functions 315 of the media exchange network 300 comprisegenerating personal network associations, personal storage management,media capture device support, security/authentication/authorizationsupport, authorship tracking and billing and address registration andmaintenance. These media exchange management functions 315 may bedistributed over various parts of the media exchange network 300. Forexample, the personal network associations and personal storagemanagement functions may be integrated in the PC 301 at the user's home303.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of personal media exchange over a mediaexchange network 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. In step 1, the media exchange software (MES) platform 401 isused to construct personal media channels on a PC 402 by a user at “myhouse” 403. For example, with various media stored on the PC 402 such asdigital pictures 404, videos 405, and music 406, the MES platform 401allows the digital media to be organized by a user into several channelshaving a media guide user interface 407 on the PC 402.

In step 2, the user at “my house” 403 pushes a media channel 408 (e.g.,“Joe's Music”) to “brother's house” 409 and pushes two media channels410 and 411 (e.g., “Vacation Video” and “Kid's Pictures”) to “Mom'shouse” 412 via a peer-to-peer server 413 over the internet-based mediaexchange network 400. “Brother's house” 409 includes a first MPS 414connected to the media exchange network 400. “Mom's house” 412 includesa second MPS 415 connected to the media exchange network 400. The MPS's414 and 415 also provide a media guide user interface 407.

In step 3, brother and/or Mom access the pushed media channels via theirrespective media processing systems (MPS's) 414 and 415 using theirrespective MPS TV screens and remote controls.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of third-party media exchange over a mediaexchange network 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. In step 1, a PC-initiated third-party request is made by afirst party 501 via an internet-based media exchange network 500 using amedia guide user interface 502 on a PC 503. In step 2, an anonymousdelivery of the requested third-party channel 504 is made to a secondparty 505 via the internet-based media exchange network 500. In step 3,the second party 505 accesses the third-party channel 504 using a mediaguide user interface 506 on a TV screen 507 that is integrated into anMPS 508.

Similarly, in step A, an MPS-initiated third-party request is made by asecond party 505 via an internet-based media exchange network 500 usinga media guide user interface 506 on a TV screen 507 using a remotecontrol 509. The second party 505 may key in a code, using his remotecontrol 509, that is correlated to a commercial or some other thirdparty broadcast media. In step B, an anonymous delivery of the requestedthird-party channel 504 is made to a first party 501 via theinternet-based media exchange network 500. In step C, the first party501 accesses the third-party channel 504 using a media guide userinterface 502 on a PC 503.

FIG. 6 illustrates a media guide user interface 600 in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. The media guide user interface600 may be displayed on a TV screen 608 and controlled by a remotecontrol device 609. Also, the media guide user interface 600 may bedisplayed on a PC monitor and controlled by a keyboard or mouse.

The media guide user interface 600 may be configured not only forconventional TV channels but also for personal media channels 601 thatare constructed by a user of a media exchange network, friend's andfamily's media channels 602 constructed by friends and family, and thirdparty channels 603 that are constructed by third parties either uponrequest by a user of a media exchange network or based on a profile of auser.

The personal media channels 601 may include, for example, a “familyvacations channel”, a “kid's sports channel”, a “my life channel”, a“son's life channel”, a “my music channel”, and a “kid's music channel”.The friends and family media channels 602 may include, for example, a“brother's channel”, a “Mom's channel”, and a “friend's channel”. Thethird party media channels 603 may include, for example, a “Sears Fallsale channel” and a “car commercials channel”.

Each media channel may correspond to a schedule 604 showing, forexample, a week 605 and a year 606. For example, under the “kid's sportschannel”, Ty's soccer game could be scheduled to be viewed on Tuesday ofthe current week 605 and current year 606. For each media channel, asub-menu 607 allows for selection of certain control and accessfunctions such as “play”, “send to list”, “send to archive”, “confirmreceipt”, “view”, “purchase”, and “profile”.

FIG. 7 illustrates possible multiple instantiations of a media guideuser interface 700 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The media guide user interface 700 may be viewed with aschedule having formats of, for example, “month, year”, “week#, year”,“day, week#”, or “hour, day”.

Referring to FIG. 8, a user of a media exchange network may push a mediachannel (e.g., “Vacation in Alaska Video”) to a friend who is on thesame media exchange network. The media guide user interface 800 may givethe friend several options 801 for how to accept and download the pushedmedia in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

For example, a first, most expensive option 803 may be “ExpressDelivery” which would deliver the pushed media to the friend in 18minutes using queuing and cost $1.20, for example. The pushed media maybe stored in a file in an MPEG 2 format that was recorded at a rate of 4Mbps, for example. Queuing comprises buffering and delivering a previouspart of the media and then buffering and delivering a next part of themedia. For example, a first six minutes of the “Vacation in AlaskaVideo” may be buffered and delivered first, then a second six minutesmay be buffered and delivered next, and so on until the entire media isdelivered.

A second, less expensive option 802 may be “Normal Delivery” which woulddeliver the pushed media in 2 hours and 13 minutes without queuing andcost $0.59, for example. The pushed media may be stored in a file in anMPEG 2 format that was recorded at a rate of 1.5 Mbps, for example.

A third, least expensive option 804 may be “Overnight Delivery” whichwould deliver the pushed media by the next morning and cost only $0.05,for example. The pushed media may be stored in a file in an MPEG 2format that was recorded at a rate of 19 Mbps and stored on a server,for example.

FIG. 9A illustrates the detailed elements of a media processing system(MPS) 900 and media capture devices 901 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. The media capture devices 901 may compriseaudio, video, and image players, such as digital cameras, digitalcamcorders, and MP3 players, that each include a temporary storage area902 and a communication interface 903 such as, for example, a USBinterface or a wireless interface. The media capture devices 901 havethe capability to interface to an MPS and a PC.

The MPS 900 comprises a media processing unit (MPU) 904, remote userinterface(s) 905, and a TV screen 918 to provide integrated mediaprocessing capability and indirect user interface capability. The remoteuser interfaces 905 may comprise a voice or keyed remote control 906,keyboards and pads 907, a remote PC access interface 908, and a remotemedia system access interface 909 (i.e., providing access from anotherMPS).

The media processing unit (MPU) 904 comprises TV and radio tuners 910for image and audio consumption, communications interfaces 911, channelprocessing 912 (creating, storing, indexing, viewing), storage 913,media players 914 (CD, DVD, Tape, PVR, MP3), an integrated userinterface 915 (to provide a TV channel guide look-and-feel), networkingcomponents 916 to provide client functions such as consumption(billing), authorization (e.g., using digital certificates and digitalID's), registration, security, and connectivity. In an alternativeembodiment of the present invention, the networking components 916 mayinclude a distributed server element 917 that is part of a distributedserver.

FIG. 9B illustrates an alternative embodiment of a media processingsystem (MPS) 920 in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention. The MPS 920 is essentially an enhanced set-top-box forviewing and interacting with various user interfaces, media, data, andservices that are available on the media exchange network using, forexample, a remote control. The MPS 920 comprises a media peripheral 921,a MMS (media management system) 922, and a broadband communicationinterface 923.

The media peripheral 921 may include a TV (television), a PC (personalcomputer), and media players (e.g., a CD player, a DVD player, a tapeplayer, and a MP3 player) for video, image, and audio consumption ofbroadcast and/or personal channels. The broadband communicationinterface 923 may include internal modems (e.g., a cable modem or DSLmodem) or other interface devices in order to communicate with, forexample, a cable or satellite headend.

The MMS 922 includes a software platform to provide functionalityincluding media “push” capability, media “access” capability, mediachannel construction/selection, image sequence selection, text and voiceoverlay, channel and program naming, inter-home routing selection,authorship and media rights management, shared inter-home mediaexperience, billing service, and a media guide user interface providingan integrated TV channel guide look-and-feel.

FIG. 10 illustrates connectivity between a PC 1000, an MPS 1001, andexternal processing hardware 1002 (e.g., a server) in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The PC 1000 and MPS 1001 includenetworking components 1003 to provide client functions such asconsumption (billing), authorization, registration, security, andconnectivity. Alternatively, the PC 1000 and MPS 1001 may include adistributed server element 1004 that is part of a distributed server.

The PC 1000 and MPS 1001 connect to the external processing hardware1002 via wired or wireless connections. The external processing hardware1002 comprises a distributed server or peer-to-peer server. The externalprocessing hardware 1002 also comprises communication interfaces 1005(e.g., cable interfaces, optical interfaces, etc.) and a media exchangesoftware (MES) platform 1006. The MES platform 1006 in the externalprocessing hardware 1002 allows for communication with the PC 1000 andMPS 1001 which may also use the same MES platform 1006. The externalprocessing hardware 1002 also includes networking server components 1007to provide the similar client functions such as consumption (billing),authorization, registration, security, and connectivity at the serverside.

FIG. 11 illustrates connectivity between a PC 1100, remote media storage1101, and personal media capture devices 1102 when the PC 1100 is usedas the primary distributor of digital media such as in the case ofPC-to-PC operation, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The personal media capture devices 1102 and remote mediastorage 1101 connect to the PC 1100 via a wireless or wired connection.The remote media storage 1101 provides user media storage anddistribution 1103 as well as third party media storage and distribution1104. The personal media capture devices 1102 provide temporary storage1114 and communication interfaces 1115.

Viewing is done using a PC monitor 1105 instead of a television screen.The PC 1100 may include storage 1106, TV/radio tuners 1107 for mediaconsumption, media players 1108, and communication interfaces 1109 anduser interfaces 1110 similar to those for the MPS of FIG. 9A. The PC1100 includes a media exchange software (MES) platform 1111 thatprovides channel construction capability 1112 and networking capability1113. The channel construction capability 1112 allows third party andpersonal media access, sequencing, editing, media overlays and inserts,billing, scheduling, and addressing.

Various embodiments of the present invention include a system and methodthat provide for the communication of user activity information in amedia exchange network.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of constructing and communicatingactivity information to support user interaction in a communicationnetwork, the method comprising: utilizing a processing device and adisplay to display a setup menu to construct an activity groupcontaining multiple users; assigning a primary user for the activitygroup on the setup menu; assigning one or more secondary users for theactivity group on the setup menu; assigning activity type to bepresented within the activity group on the setup menu; identifying mediacontent associated with the activity type; scheduling a group activitysession for the primary user and one or more secondary users tocommunicate together regarding media content associated with activitytype presented within the activity group on the setup menu; andnotifying the primary user regarding consumption of the media content bythe one or more secondary users.
 2. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising assigning a mode of presentation for the media contentassociated with the activity type on the setup menu.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the mode of presentation comprises audio, still image,video or data.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein assigning the primaryuser includes utilizing a first sub-menu to select from a group of userspermitted to create the activity group.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein assigning the one or more second users includes utilizing asecond sub-menu to select the one or more second users known to theprimary user.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising assigning alanguage for the activity group to identify language associated with themedia content on the setup menu.
 7. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising assigning a title for the activity group.
 8. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising sending the media content in a personal mediachannel during the group activity session.
 9. An apparatus forconstructing and communicating activity information to support userinteraction in a communication network comprising: a processor operablewith a display to display a setup menu to construct an activity groupcontaining multiple users, in which software operating with theprocessor is operable with user input to assign a primary user for theactivity group on the setup menu, assign one or more secondary users forthe activity group on the setup menu, assign activity type to bepresented within the activity group on the setup menu, identify mediacontent associated with the activity type, schedule a group activitysession for the primary user and one or more secondary users tocommunicate together regarding media content associated with activitytype presented within the activity group on the setup menu and receivenotification for presentation to the primary user regarding consumptionof the media content by the one or more secondary users; and interfacecoupled to the processor to communicate with the communication network.10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the processor further assigns amode of presentation for the media content associated with the activitytype on the setup menu.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein theprocessor when assigning the primary user presents a first sub-menu onthe display to select from a group of users permitted to create theactivity group.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processorwhen assigning the one or more second users presents a second sub-menuto select the one or more second users known to the primary user. 13.The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the processor is operable to send themedia content in a personal media channel during the group activitysession.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is apersonal computer.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatusis a set-top box.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus istelevision set.
 17. An apparatus for constructing and communicatingactivity information to support user interaction in a communicationnetwork comprising: a media processor operable with a display to displaya setup menu to construct an activity group containing multiple users,in which software operating with the media processor is operable withuser input to assign a primary user for the activity group on the setupmenu, assign one or more secondary users for the activity group on thesetup menu, assign activity type to be presented within the activitygroup on the setup menu, identify media content associated with theactivity type which is transmitted in a personal media channel createdby the primary user, schedule a group activity session for the primaryuser and one or more secondary users to communicate together regardingmedia content associated with activity type presented within theactivity group on the setup menu and receive notification forpresentation to the primary user regarding consumption of the mediacontent by the one or more secondary users; storage coupled to the mediaprocessor to store the media content; and interface coupled to the mediaprocessor to communicate with the communication network.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is a personal computer. 19.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is a set-top box. 20.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is television set.